An open letter to my fellow sustainability professionals, whoever you are.

Over the last few months, I’ve found myself having the same kind of conversation with friends, colleagues, and peers across the sustainability space. It usually starts with a sigh, maybe a joke about needing another coffee... and then it turns real.

People are tired, really tired.

Street art offering inspiration with bold "Never Give Up" graffiti and colorful heart patterns, set against an urban backdrop.

This work, sustainability, climate action, ESG, whatever we call it, this job is hard. It’s meaningful and impactful, but emotionally it can be a lot. It can feel like we’re pushing a boulder uphill, every day, dealing with the pressure of a planet on our backs, an ever changing political landscape, high business expectations and limited resources. 

Burnout in our sector is real. And it makes sense, we’re trying to fix and redesign systems and business models while working within them. We're pushing businesses, people, and even ourselves to do better, faster. And sometimes, it feels like we’re running on fumes.The pace of change feels slow, the challenges too big. 

Sometimes the wins feel invisible. 

And lately, I’ve sensed more people quietly asking themselves: Is this still working? Am I still making a difference?

If that’s you, I see you. You’re not alone.

But, we have been here before. Sustainability goes through moment of hypes, and then lows. The discouraging news makes the headline but amidst all this, there are plenty of reasons to be positive.

• People care more than we think, in fact 89% of people want their governments to take action on the climate crisis.

• When you follow the money, you see that change is inevitable. Financial institutions, Insurance companies and pension funds are already diverting billions of dollars from low-rating ESG funds to mitigate risk and increase returns.

• Demanding requirements for action are cascading through the supply chain globally, and there is no turning back on that.

• Regulation on disclosure and transparency is ramping up and organisations are setting up for that.

No, it’s not perfect. But it's happening. And change will happen faster than we think.

Remaining optimistic is a choice, it’s a skill that needs to be developed.

I describe myself as Stubbornly Optimism. I certainly don’t have it all figured out, far from it. But here are a few things that help me stay grounded when the weight starts to feel like too much:

• Talk to people who get it. The best therapy is grabbing a drink or going for a walk with someone in the same boat. Sometimes venting is exactly what we need.

• Zoom in, then zoom out. It’s easy to get lost in news and reports. But look at your own work. What changed in your company, your team, your last project? That matters more than we think.

• Celebrate tiny wins. We’re wired to aim high (it’s part of the job description), but it’s okay to pause and be proud of the small stuff.

• Set boundaries. This one’s hard, but crucial. Sustainability won’t be served by burning ourselves out. Take your breaks. Log off. The world can wait for your email until Monday.

• Remember why you started. Go back to that feeling, the one that made you want to do this work in the first place, be clear on your purpose and the difference you are making.

We all want to leave the world better than we found it. And sometimes that means showing up tired but still showing up. Other times, it means resting, reflecting, and coming back stronger.

Keep going, it matters.

Matteo